oxymoron

[ok-si-mawr-on, -mohr-] / ˌɒk sɪˈmɔr ɒn, -ˈmoʊr- /

NOUN

figure of speech

Synonyms

WEAK

adumbration allegory alliteration allusion analogue analogy anaphora anticlimax antistrophe antithesis aposiopesis apostrophe asyndeton bathos comparison conceit device echoism ellipsis euphemism euphuism exaggeration expression flourish flower hyperbole image imagery irony litotes malapropism manner of speaking metaphor metonymy onomatopoeia ornament parable paradox parallel personification proteron rhetoric sarcasm satire simile stylistic device synecdoche trope tropology turn of phrase understatement way of speaking

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ranting about the decline of comedy specials while releasing a new one at the same time feels a bit like an oxymoron.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

He was, if we may use an oxymoron, a libertarian builder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

That sounds like an oxymoron: We don’t tend to expect illness or old age to create a problem in our life when we are young, but preparing for such eventualities is important.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 9, 2025

To some people, nonalcoholic beer sounds like an oxymoron, but newer techniques are producing tasty, high-quality options in this growing beverage category.

From Salon • Dec. 13, 2023

I thought that was maybe what my English teacher would call an oxymoron, because you cannot truly have freedom if someone is chasing you.

From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin

oxymoron

Example Sentences

Related Words